Department profile
Lenz & Staehelin

Arbitration Counsel

Global Guide 2026 : Switzerland

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Lenz & Staehelin

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About

Provided by Lenz & Staehelin

Lenz & Staehelin has enjoyed a leading position in international arbitration for a number of decades. Its attorneys have been involved in several hundred international arbitrations, either as counsel for a party or sitting as arbitrators. The firm has been handling disputes under the rules of all major institutions (including ICC, Swiss Arbitration Centre, LCIA, AAA, VIAC, CAS, WIPO, ICSID, DIAC) as well as UNCITRAL and ad hoc arbitration. The firm's arbitration practice is also regularly ranked first tier by the relevant publications and league tables, including Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.

In addition to Swiss lawyers, our practice group includes attorneys from, or qualified in, other jurisdictions (currently from the US, UK, Australia and Germany).

Industries (13)

  • pharmaceutical
  • energy
  • telecommunications
  • State contracts
  • privatization and investment arbitration
  • banks and financial institutions
  • joint ventures
  • sales and distribution
  • construction and engineering projects
  • M&A-related disputes
  • IP
  • luxury goods
  • licensing and sports

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Arbitration Counsel - Switzerland

What the Team is Known For

Lenz & Staehelin has a formidable team with a well-respected arbitration practice. The law firm frequently assists with investor-state arbitrations and investment treaty disputes, acting for both states and corporate clients. Lenz & Staehelin has further activity in corporate arbitration, including post-M&A cases, as well as construction arbitrations and energy-related disputes. The law firm also represents clients in commercial arbitrations, including distribution agreement disputes. The team further assists with set-aside proceedings.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Lenz & Staehelin represented Clorox Spain in setting aside proceedings against Venezuela before the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Lenz & Staehelin immediately gets to the heart of the matter. The team is highly competent, fast and practical.

    Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

  • Everything just works like clockwork with Lenz & Staehelin. The lawyers exceed expectations by being very nice to work with, pragmatic and having a sense of humour.

    Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

  • They are at the top of their game and demonstrate remarkable procedural management, knowledge and capabilities.

    Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

  • Lenz & Staehelin stands out for its sharp understanding of foreign laws, excellent quality of legal argumentation and strategic approach to complex matters.

    Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

  • The Lenz & Staehelin team thinks very strategically and is very experienced with technical issues. I would really praise it for being very strategic and on top of things.

    Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Harold Frey
    Harold Frey

    Harold Frey

    Harold Frey is one of the leading arbitration counsels in Switzerland. He has a strong focus on ICC proceedings, representing clients in construction and contractual disputes, as well as energy and maritime-related matters. He also has notable experience in investor-state arbitrations and Swiss Rules proceedings.

    • Harold Frey is very clever and quick on his feet. He also has a robust foundation in contract law, allowing him to rise up and be strategic.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • Harold Frey is a responsive, knowledgeable and sharp lawyer.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • Harold Frey is an excellent colleague who is capable of handling complex and sophisticated matters in a strategic manner.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • Harold Frey does an amazing job. I consider him to be one of the top arbitration practitioners in Europe.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • Harold Frey is a great advocate and a strategic genius. He is very nice with clients and provides really strong advocacy.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
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  • Xavier Favre-Bulle
    Xavier Favre-Bulle

    Xavier Favre-Bulle

    Xavier Favre-Bulle acts for clients on set-aside proceedings, and also has experience in post-M&A disputes and contractual arbitration. He has particular experience of Swiss Rules and ICC arbitration proceedings, as well as acting on arbitrations before the CAS.

    • Xavier Favre-Bulle is very effective and direct. He also listens and gets into the detail.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • He understands and knows the players in the Swiss arbitration market.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • Xavier is an excellent practitioner. He grasps the case and gets on top of the real issues quickly.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • Xavier is one of the best arbitration practitioners I have seen, with a great command over the tribunal. He understands the gist of the case quickly.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • What I really appreciated was his availability to dive into the case.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
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  • Martin Aebi
    Martin Aebi

    Martin Aebi

    Martin Aebi is an experienced arbitration specialist with a strong market standing. He frequently assists with disputes arising in the energy and industrial sectors, advising an array of clients on contractual and construction arbitrations.

    • Martin Aebi has this encyclopaedic knowledge of Swiss law, so he can move very quickly and see where we need to go.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • Martin Aebi is hard-working, analytical and legally strong.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • Martin Aebi is a strategic and forward-thinking lawyer. He has an excellent legal mind and is very good with complex technical disputes, demonstrating a great understanding of these matters.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal

    • Martin Aebi is a very good lawyer with a lot of experience. I like him very much.

      Arbitration Counsel respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Lenz & Staehelin (4)

Switzerland

Members

Provided by Lenz & Staehelin

Lenz & Staehelin has rankings in the following guides

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